Newport IW FC have gone to within 1 point of rivals 5th-placed East Cowes Vics in Wessex Division 1 by drawing with Fleetlands at Powder Monkey Park this afternoon (Saturday).
However, this was 2 points lost rather than a point gained as Port had led by a 2-goal margin against 10 men until the closing stages of the game.
The game began with Fleetlands defender Martin sent off for handball in the 10th minute.
Port took the lead in the 26th minute through the returning Joe Butcher, who converted a Ji Nash pass with a shot that was too strong for the goalkeeper to handle (0-1).
2 minutes later, Nash turned from provider to scorer after burying a Brad Young pass.
Half time: Fleetlands 0-2 Newport IW
Port continued to create chances early in the 2nd half through the industry of Kai Grace on the right but without extending their lead.
The Coptermen pulled a goal back 6 minutes from full time through substitute Dan Petrov.
The home side then somehow found an equalising goal in the 2nd minute of injury time, headed in by the tallest player on the pitch: substitute Jamie Winter.
Full time: Fleetlands 2-2 Newport IW
Newport IW: Pitman, West, Thompsett, Young, Watterson (c), Holbrook, Nash, Oatley, Butsher, Craig, Grace Subs: Goldberg, Walsh, Forster
6th-placed Newport have now stretched their unbeaten run to 11 games. However, a win today or against Clanfield on Tuesday would have seen Port leapfrog East Cowes Vics to reach the playoff positions.
VICTORIANS VANQUISHED AT FRIMLEY GREEN
East Cowes Victoria were beaten on the road in Surrey by 2nd-placed Frimley Green.
Vics held their own for the opening half hour until they went down to 10 men after Caleb Neale was sinbinned.
In the 33rd minute, Frimley substitute George Keenan saw a free kick bounce off the crossbar. Thripp then gave the Surrey side the lead 6 minutes from half time with a sublime strike from the edge of the penalty area (1-0). Harvey Evarard added a 2nd for Frimley in the 43rd minute (2-0).
Half time: Frimley Green 2-0 East Cowes Victoria
Miller scored a 3rd for Frimley in the 65th minute (3-0) with captain Elliot Wheeler striking the net in the 80th to pull a goal back for Vics (3-1). Wheeler was then dismissed from the field of play shortly after scoring.
The match then ended with J. Ward adding to Frimley’s account with a bullet header (4-1) 4 minutes from full time.
Full time: Frimley Green 4-1 East Cowes Victoria
East Cowes Victoria: Ram, snow, Yates, Newbold, Wheeler (c), Chapman, Cutts, Triggs, Jones, Coode, C. Neale Subs: Hart, Mumford, Snaith, Perrin
Vics’ defeat leaves them 5th in Wessex Division 1 with 32 points from 15 games, 10 points behind leaders New Milton Town but with 3 games in hand.
On Tuesday (3rd December) Vics face Bembridge at Beatrice Avenue in the Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup quarter final with kick off at !9:45.
YACHTSMEN SUNK WITHOUT TRACE IN DORSET
Cowes Sports were beaten by an 8-goal margin by newly promoted Hamworthy Recreation in front of a meagre crowd of 22.
Hamworthy had a goal disallowed in the 11th minute for offside; however, Ed Hatt was adjudged to have fouled their striker before the offside was given. A penalty was awarded to the home side, which was converted by Hodge (1-0) – his 1st of many in the course of the afternoon.
The home side were awarded their 2nd penalty 4 minutes later after a Tout-Walters trip, with Hodge bagging his brace from the penalty spot (2-0).
Eddie Hodge then scored his hat trick in the 18th minute (3-0) before grabbing a 4th goal in the 33rd (4-0).
Half time Hamworthy Recreation 4-0 Cowes Sports
The Eddie Hodge show continued after the half time break, with Eddie bagging his 5th in the 46th minute (5-0).
2 minutes later, Chris Long added a 6th for the home side with a header that bounced over Cowes keeper Hatt (6-0).
Hamworthy’s 7th came just after the hour mark, courtesy of a Tony Rolls back post header from a corner (7-0).
Chris Long then bagged his brace in injury time from a further header – again from a corner (8-0)
Full time Hamworthy Recreation 8-0 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Tout-Walters, Chase, Oatley, Phillips, Cook, Browne, McFarlane, McKie (c), Marsek Subs: Dempsey, Conway, Cranwell, Flood
Defeat for the Yachtsmen leaves them 15th in the Wessex Premier, with 18 points from 17 games.
